My name is Elizabeth Mary Coffey I am 31 and from Manchester, England. I grew up in Sale a town outside of Manchester and lived there with my mum, dad and two younger brothers.

I went to primary down the road from me and did not like it as I was bullied one instance stands out the most. I was took into the toilets and my hairpin was flushed down the toilet and the girl tried to strangle me!! I had a best friend Clare she did not go to my school but lived round the corner from me, we were friends from the age of 2 to 16. I had other friends in my teen years that came and went.

At secondary school I also was bullied mainly by a girl called Catherine and my ex friend Jill. But as a whole no-one liked me, I had two friends Emma and Lynn. Lynn was my best friend in school, she moved into my form to protect me and it worked. It helped that me and her used to wag scool in the last year.

I was a very shy and quiet girl so never stood up for myself and never told anyone but my head of year about the bullying. Though I did well in school achieving As in my coursework. But E'f'Gs in my GCSEs cos I only studied one day in my study leave.

My bullying consisted of name calling (Thin lizzy, parachute woman, skinny lizzy, beanpole,ET), being tripped up on way to classes and punched in the arm in classes.

I cant remember anything else.. It caused my depression which is still with me on and off

When I finished school I was so happy to get out of there I tried a course at college but it was the wrong course and even though I tried to like it and made friends I eventually withdrew and left. Then after two years of unemployment I did a training through work and achieved nvq level 1 & 2 in retail and gained more confidence.

Then had jobs on and off for ten years. And in that ten years I met Mark.

We met in 1998 and went on our first date on Halloween,watched the re-release of 'The Exorcist' Then we dated for 3 years before moving out in 2001 and marrying in 2003.

He was a huge help in my battle against my depression even though it upset him greatly when I would say I was going to kill myself (as he lost someone to suicide) Or when I tried to hurt myself and I got very angry and he would have to restrain me. Again I never told my parents this was going on, they have no idea to this day how severe it got.

Then we spent 6 happy years living together before coming out here to NZ for our working holiday Where I hope we live forever!! In those 6 years we went on many holidays together. We did not have kidsas neither of us wanted them. But maybe in the future we will...

My fave films are the lord of the rings trilogy, heavenly creatures, huck finn, radio flyer, the neverending story. I love a lot of other films, 80s like the lost boys, goonies, pretty in pink, breakfast clubpoltergeist, et. True stories, river phoenix films, all other elijah films, all other peter jackson films.

Wow, I always wanted to know more about peopell I made friends here ( thats including you Elizabeth ;p )I thought you had a lot of friends!. Cause yoru nice, funny and you write amazing poems!. How can those stupid girls treat you that way!. Sorry for language :p. I'm not a person liek that at ALL .. just to say .Its nice to hear that you have someone that gives you comfort for 6 years.

I am like that too. Shy. . It may not seem like it. But I am. Anytime it comes to BOYS thats a big one. ahaha.

O wow, Liz! I knew you had it tough as a kid...just didn't know how tough. You should be VERY proud of yourself that you have done so well! How wonderful that you and Mark found each other! I think Someone was looking out for you both.

I always hate to see people bullied...and while I am a fairly mild mannered person...it is one of the situations that brings out the "angry" culpie. I would have knocked those girls' head together for ya.

Depression is not an easy thing to fight. I won't pretend to know how to help. But just remember that your friends here at A&F like you and are here to help any way we can. You have a wonderful companion (Mark) and it sounds like your parents are caring too. Keep your chin up! Don't ever think you are all alone in your fight. Lots of us care what happens to you.

Thanks for writing about yourself. It is always nice to learn a bit more about our fellow A&F-ers. I hope you are continuing to enjoy your stay in NZ! I love following your adventures on your website.